Bible Strands
Galatians 3:21
Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Galatian believers to correct a theological error regarding the Mosaic covenant. He poses this question immediately after explaining the temporary, intermediary role of the law between the Abrahamic promise and Christ.
The words — The Greek νόμος (nomos) denotes the Mosaic legislation, while κατά (kata) conveys direct opposition. Paul uses these terms to frame a rhetorical question that forces a clear distinction between statutory requirement and divine promise.
The thread — The text explicitly states that the law does not impart life, and therefore righteousness cannot originate from it. This logical boundary appears in Galatians 2:21 regarding righteousness, and is expanded in Romans 3:20 and Romans 9:31 regarding the law's inability to justify or secure covenant standing.
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to abandon reliance on legislative performance for covenant standing. It directs attention exclusively to faith in Christ as the only means of receiving the promised blessing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Cross-references
- Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
- Romans 9:31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.
- Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.
- Galatians 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.
- Romans 10:3 Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
- Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
- Romans 7:7 What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
- Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!
- Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
- Romans 3:4 Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”